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Egypt's Penalty Roulette: AFCON Third-Place Sparks Record-Tying Drama

17 January 2026

Egypt's Penalty Roulette: AFCON Third-Place Sparks Record-Tying Drama
Nigeria beat Egypt 4-2 on penalties in AFCON third-place clash.

Match Summary

The Pharaohs have now lost their last three AFCON shootouts.

Egypt's pattern of decisive penalties in the Africa Cup of Nations third-place playoff persisted as Nigeria edged Egypt 4-2 on penalties after a goalless 90 minutes of regulation and extra time.

The past three AFCON third-place matches have all been decided by spot-kicks, confirming that this stage has become a high-stakes arena where the whistle is a deadline and the goalkeeper is a comedian who never misses. Fans joked that the only thing more dramatic than a penalty is a group chat predicting it.

Egypt's tally of shootouts in AFCON rose to 11, tying Ivory Coast's record for the most penalties faced by any nation in the tournament's history.

Nigeria sits second with ten shootouts, Cameroon nine, according to Stats Foot, a French analytics site that apparently loves drama more than defense.

Tomorrow Africa will reach a dramatic finale, as hosts Morocco take on Senegal to crown the continent's champion.

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Michael Whooosh

I am Michael Whooosh, an English sports journalist born in 1986. Passionate about surfing, poetry, and beekeeping, I share my human and sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Egypt extend their AFCON shootout drought with this result?

Yes; this match marked another loss in a row for Egypt in AFCON shootouts, bringing their recent streak to three straight penalties losses.

Who will play in the AFCON final?

Morocco will face Senegal in the final, aiming to crown Africa's champions.

How many AFCON shootouts has Egypt faced in their history?

Egypt has faced 11 AFCON shootouts, tying Ivory Coast for the most by any nation in the tournament.